​How long have you been a Pascal's barista?
It all started on an early Monday morning in May of 2015.  


Why did you want to become a barista?
Passion for coffee and the desire to learn more about it is what mainly drove me to want to become a barista.  Pascal's, in particular, had a certain draw to it.  Before I was a barista, I was a regular for about two years, loving the coffee and the atmosphere. I took notice of the difference between what I was getting at Pascal's versus what I was getting at other coffee shops, and became a little more knowledgable about what good coffee was. I guess I wanted to be a part of that. 


What kind of coffee do you keep in your pantry?
I actually haven't brewed any coffee at home since I started working at Pascal's, which could also arguably be referred to as home.


What do you most appreciate about the craft-coffee movement?
I like how thoughtful the process of making coffee has become. Also, it tastes good. 


If you could have any drink in your cup right now, what would it be?
Water. I'm gasping. As far as coffee is concerned, a cappuccino is my comfy go-to drink. 


What do you do on Saturday night?
Join in on whatever thing my friends are doing that night or make an attempt at spontaneity. 

What song do you have stuck in your head right now?
"Why not" by Hillary Duff.


What's your go-to Pandora station at the coffeehouse?
The Washed Out station. 


What do you think a coffeehouse’s role in the community is?
I think what makes Pascal's so great is that it is almost a community in and of itself. A coffeehouse should provide a warm environment for people to feel a sense of belonging as well as provide a great product. Within an academic setting, I think a coffeehouse should also attempt to foster a culture of curiosity and learning.

​
​How long have you been a Pascal's barista?
I'm starting up the second semester of many more to come.


Why did you want to become a barista?
I came into Pascal's just about every single day last year for several hours a day and fell in love with it all. The atmosphere, the drinks, the baristas, and the customers. Added bonus, I get to smell like coffee 24/7.


What kind of coffee do you keep in your pantry?
I don't keep coffee on deck considering I'm never really home during the day and don't have much of a pantry to begin with. I still rely on Pascal's for my day to day coffee needs. However, I really dig Bold Bean so I could definitely see myself keeping them in my dream pantry.


What do you most appreciate about the craft-coffee movement?
I think it is awesome that people are becoming more aware of the entire journey of the coffee they are drinking. Being able to appreciate the roots of the coffee, all the way from how the farmers are treated to how the coffee is harvested, makes each cup of coffee that much more special. As a barista, I am thankful to be a part of that journey and help others come to appreciate how thoughtful and intricate the craft-coffee movement is. 


If you could have any drink in your cup right now, what would it be?
Iced Cuban Lattes course through my veins. However, I'm beginning to appreciate less sweet drinks more and more each day. I can vibe to a Kenya pour over or cappuccino these days. 


What do you do on Saturday night?
This past Saturday night I took a spontaneous road trip to St. Pete with one of my dearest friends. Two weeks ago I spent several hours trying to catch the possum that keeps getting into our trash can. I try to make sure no Saturday night is ever the same.


What song do you have stuck in your head right now?
Glass Animals' Zaba album has been playing on repeat in my head. I'm sure the answer to this question will change a week from now.


What's your go-to Pandora station at the coffeehouse?
Alt-J. 50% because I like the station, 50% because it's fun watching Scott get annoyed.


What do you think a coffeehouse’s role in the community is?
To create an environment where friendships are made. I think it's funny because I so often see people come in with the intention of studying or getting some reading done but get swept up in friendship and conversation within the first ten minutes. I love that. Don't get me wrong, coffeehouses are great places to study, but from observation and personal experience, they are where deeper connections with people are made.

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​How long have you been a Pascal's barista?
About a year and a half now. Or so. 

Why did you want to become a barista?
I had already basically lived at Pascal’s for a couple years, so I figured this was the obvious next step. But really, I had tremendous respect for everything that was happening on both sides of the bar and wanted to be a part of it as much as I could. 

What kind of coffee do you keep in your pantry?
A buddy of mine just opened up a roastery called Jubilee in Colorado, so at the moment I have his first batch of an Ethiopia Yirgacheffe. It’s quite tasty. 

What do you most appreciate about the craft-coffee movement?
I mean, first and foremost, I appreciate that coffee tastes better now. Otherwise, it’s awesome to see all the communities that are created at each shop. 

If you could have any drink in your cup right now, what would it be?
The gnarliest cup of shou pu’erh tea I could find. 

What do you do on Saturday night?
Lately I’ve been trying to find out which of my friends have cable so I can watch saturday night live. I’ve been unsuccessful so far...

What song do you have stuck in your head right now?
“I Really Like You” by Carly Rae Jepsen, at the moment. Not surprising...

What's your go-to Pandora station at the coffeehouse?
I pretty much stick exclusively to the Yo La Tengo station. 

What do you think a coffeehouse’s role in the community is?
Number one role: make coffee, no question. That’s what sets us apart from all the other kinds of houses, for sure.

​How long have you been a Pascal's barista?
I have been a barista since the Summer of 2015.


Why did you want to become a barista?
I love coffee, I love people, and I love the Pascal's community. I jumped at the opportunity to exercise these loves as a barista.


What kind of coffee do you keep in your pantry?
Shamefully, I do not brew much at home. Therefore, my roommates' Folgers coffee takes the dominant spot in our coffee pantry.


What do you most appreciate about the craft-coffee movement?
I love that the craft-coffee movement is a beautiful picture of work well done. The emphasis is on excellence throughout the production process, including the way the coffee is treated and the way that people are treated, from the farmer to the customer.


If you could have any drink in your cup right now, what would it be?
My usual go-to drink is a Cortadito.


What do you do on Saturday night?
I spend time with friends - playing games, watching movies, and just hanging out.


What song do you have stuck in your head right now?
Falling Asleep by the Good Mad.


What's your go-to Pandora station at the coffeehouse?
The Oh Hellos.


What do you think a coffeehouse’s role in the community is?
Coffee is one of the greatest catalysts of human interaction. People come together around coffee for conversation and relationship. A coffeehouse provides the coffee and the environment which can promote community in a powerful way.

How long have you been a Pascal's barista?
​Not long enough.
 
Why did you want to become a barista?
I didn’t want to become just any barista. I wanted to become a Pascal’s barista because I love the coffee that we serve, the people that work behind the bar with me, and the ones that walk through our front door.
 
What kind of coffee do you keep in your pantry?
One of Bold Bean’s latest roasts and some left-over bags from my European adventures this summer.
 
What do you most appreciate about the craft-coffee movement?
People are caring more about the coffee they drink in terms of where it’s from, how it’s roasted, how it was processed, etc. This paradigm shift means the coffee-growing communities are getting more attention and the coffee buyers are being held to higher standards in regards to their relationships with the coffee farmers. I think this craft-coffee movement has led to a change in social justice, which I think is beautiful.
 
If you could have any drink in your cup right now, what would it be?
A nice cortado in a glass cup.
 
What do you do on Saturday night?
I usually enjoy a different form of brewed-beverage with some friends.
 
What song do you have stuck in your head right now?
Growing Up by Run River Wild. Now that I’m a senior, I’ve noticed my song choices are getting a lot more nostalgic.
 
What's your go-to Pandora station at the coffeehouse?
​Alt-J, because I’m scared to try out any of the other ones.
 
What do you think a coffeehouse’s role in the community is?
Sparking conversation. Whether that’s over a cup of coffee, about coffee, across the counter or outside of our walls, Pascal’s coffeehouse should be inspiring meaningful conversations.

​How long have you been a Pascal's barista?
2 years! Woo!

Why did you want to become a barista?
I wanted to be a barista specifically at Pascal's because I noticed the attention they gave not only to their coffee but also to the relationships with people on the other side of the bar.


What kind of coffee do you keep in your pantry?
Right now I have some Counter Culture, but it changes pretty frequently.


What do you most appreciate about the craft-coffee movement?
The craft-coffee movement has changed expectations about the way coffee-drinkers enjoy and learn about their coffees. I most appreciate that it has benefitted coffee farmers and their communities by encouraging more direct trade and fair-labor practices in the industry.  


If you could have any drink in your cup right now, what would it be?
A hot latte.


What do you do on Saturday night?
I'm usually spending time with friends or my awesome hubby, Jordan.


What song do you have stuck in your head right now?
The Beat by Ben Rector.


​What's your go-to Pandora station at the coffeehouse?
Noah Gunderson.


​What do you think a coffeehouse’s role in the community is?
I think a coffeehouse can create a unique atmosphere where people feel comfortable reading, talking, drawing, writing, or just spending time with one another--all while enjoying a cup of coffee.

The Barista Q&A Series is our attempt to introduce you to the folks in our community who play a crucial role in making Pascal's the place we all love. We'll introduce ourselves to you with the hope that the conversation won't end here. Introduce yourselves to us, let us know what you're brewing at home, tell us who your favorite artists are, and give us some idea of what makes you tick. We love our community, and we want to know you.

​How long have you been a Pascal's barista?
Since this past summer.

​
Why did you want to become a barista?
I fell in love with Pascal’s as a customer last year. It became my favorite place to study and meet friends, and I was also attending the director’s class on Wednesdays. I figured any more time I could spend here, while getting paid to do so, would be amazing.


What kind of coffee do you keep in your pantry?
I actually stopped making coffee at home when I began working at Pascal’s. I practically live here, so it works out.

What do you most appreciate about the craft-coffee movement?
I love that it allows customers to consider the bigger picture of the product they buy. So much care is placed into the coffee. From paying the farmers fair wages to picking only the ripest coffee cherries, to roasters who roast each bean to its precise extent, to the barista who carefully pours the art into your latte, each cup has its own unique story.


If you could have any drink in your cup right now, what would it be?
A single-origin espresso or a cappuccino. But I don’t consider myself above enjoying a pumpkin spice latte on occasion.


What do you do on Saturday night?
My favorite Saturday nights are spent with my friends, cheering on the Gators in the Swamp. In the Spring, half my weekends are spent out of town at water polo tournaments.


What song do you have stuck in your head right now?
Farther Along by Josh Garrels.It’s one of those songs that don’t get old quickly.


What's your go-to Pandora station at the coffeehouse?
We seem to like the Alt-J station here. Sometimes I switch it up with The Lumineers or Mumford & Sons.


What do you think a coffeehouse’s role in the community is?
At Pascal's, we have some patrons come in with the purpose of working on their dissertations, and some with the purpose of lounging on the couches and chatting with their group of friends. I think a coffeehouse should aim to provide an atmosphere conducive to both.

This first coffee, from Ceremony Coffee Roasters up in Annapolis, Maryland, comes from Ocotepeque, Honduras, located right in the center of Central America. ​

Hundreds of years later and this region is still producing coffees with the bright and complex flavor that always stand out when tasted next to coffees from other areas of the world, like this Yiragacheffea coffee.

Our final retail bag for sale is a blend of coffees from Latin America, perfect for celebrating international coffees! Each bag is 50% Brazilian, 25% Colombian, 25% Guatemalan and 100% delicious. This signature espresso blend from Bold Bean always yields a perfectly sweet and balanced shot of espresso for any size espresso drink. It’s also great brewed via your favorite brewing process (chemex, v60, French Press, etc.)